FROM today motorists travelling abroad are being asked to display a "UK" sticker on their car to legally drive overseas.
The change means that anyone with a national flag of Scotland, Wales or England may need to add a "UK" sticker in order to go on holiday outside of the UK with their car.
It comes after the UK Government made a request to the United Nations to change the country identifier from "GB" to "UK".
A UK Government information page states: "From 28 September 2021, you need a UK sticker instead of a GB sticker.
"If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack), you do not need a UK sticker.
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"However, you will need to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following: a GBidentifier with the Union flag, a Euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales, a number and letters only – no flag or identifier.
"If you're in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker on your number plate.
"You do not need a UK sticker or number plate to drive in Ireland."
A further note states: "All the rules remain the same it is just that 'GB' is replaced by 'UK'."
The legal requirement to display the new identifier on number plates will be up to the country people are travelling through to enforce.
Halfords has previously said that drivers could be refused entry to other countries if they fail to add the new identifier.
It said: "From 28th September, British motorists travelling abroad will be legally required to display a UK sticker on their vehicle, in place of the old GB one.
“Failure to adhere to the new regulations may lead to refusal on entry and holidays ruined."
The AA has also said that it has 50,000 GB stickers that will now be worthless after the new change.
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Back in January, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described the change as a "historic moment for British motorists, and a reassertion of our independence from the EU one year on from our departure".
He added: “Looking to the future, whether it’s for work or for holidays abroad, these changes mean that those who want to drive in the EU can continue to do so with ease.”
This announcement on the anniversary of the UK leaving the EU also included confirmation that UK drivers with photocard licenses would not need an international driving permit to drive across EU countries.
It also stated that UK drivers "won't need to display UK sticker in most EU countries if their number plate has GB or GB with a Union flag on it".
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